There are instructions both from the ancient sages of Israel, and from our apostolic writers that an evil personage is going to make an appearance on the earth masquerading as the Lord. This person’s appearance will eventually result in death, destructions, and judgments.
John calls him, ‘antichrist.’ The apostle Pauls calls this person, ‘the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction.‘ (Cf. 2Th2:3)
Antichrist has two definitions. It speaks of someone who stands against Christ. But it also means someone who stands in the place of Christ. And so we have a personage who stands in the place of Christ but who in reality stands against Christ.
However, the antichrists are not the antichrist. ‘The’ antichrist has always had his workers in the earth. In the end of this age, a vast number of antichrists will serve as forerunners to prepare the way for the coming of antichrist. These forerunners are antichrists in the pural, not the antichrist. Their intent is to completely destroy the true saving message of Jesus Christ, by the use of false teachings and doctrines of demons. These false teachings will appeal to man’s pride and to his fleshly side.
Jesus spoke of this personage:
“I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
(Joh 5:43)
“I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him.” (Joh 5:43)
John wrote:
“Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.” (1Jn 2:18) [The last hour is a metaphor for the gospel age as we know it.)
Paul wrote:
"Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God." (2Th 2:3-4)
There are two key expressions we need to pay attention to: 'many antichrists have appeared,' and, 'it [antichrist in person] will not come unless the apostasy comes first.’
Before ‘the’ antichrist appears, there will have begun an overflow of false teachers and false prophets whose sole purpose is to prepare room for ‘the’ antichrist.’
Jesus called these antichrists, false christs. false prophets, and false teachers. Keep in mind that the word ‘christ’ means anointed.’ Ho Chistos means the anointed one.
These false prophets and teachers will draw attention to themselves as being especially anointed of the Lord. But the gospel they preach will have many deceptions and distortions. For a number of years a distorted gospel has been making it ways through the nations.
And so we have that the antichrist will not come until the apostasy is fully at work. These antichrists will condition men’s hears to believing things that are not true to the gospel of the cross. Out of this will come a pseudo-christianity. This pseudo-christianity will join ranks with the religions of the world. (One world religion. One world order. One world government, We all have a path to heaven regardless of our religion. etc.)
What does antichrist have to do with Christians…
The answer is, ‘Not one thing.’ And this is where some misunderstanding enters the picture. Neither the antichrists nor the antichrist have any power over true believers. Believers are God’s treasures in the earth. Those truly born of Christ will never follow the antichrist under any circumstance.
Listen:
“We know that no one who is born of God sins [practices sin by nature]; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.” (1Jn 5:18)
“A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (Joh 10)
“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” (2Th 2:13)
Don’t worry about terms like pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib…
It is so easy to get bogged down in various ideas about the coming of the Lord. I personally believe in the removal of the church. Others may see things differently. The answer to all this is to know that the Lord has already made a provision for all who truly belong to Him. In one way or another way or another, we all are going to be gathered to Him.
Are you acquainted with the voice of the cross? Take time to lissen to the Gaither Vocal Band as the sing. ‘Yes, I Know.’
Always remember,
Much love has been sent to the earth from the cross.
Is antichrist coming? Sure. But he has nothing to do with us. In fact his judgment is already in place.
Its time for a bit of extras, otherwise known as humor. In this entry I’ll share some humor but I’ll complete it with something of a spiritual nature. Did you know that the Israel of today has a divine destiny. Jesus said that they would not see him until they said, “Baruch Haba B’Shem Adonai.” (Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.)
I’ll come to that in a bit. First for a bit of family fun. Think I’ll begin with the world renoun Grand Prix race at the Pineville-apolis speed way. (Otherwide known as FunPark.) It was absolutely breath taking. Top picture to the left are racers Buddy and Abbey, grandfather and granddaughter. Its about to begin. Everything is tense. “Don’t worry Abbey, we can beat Hunter and Jared. These kiddos are no match for us.”
Vroooom! Vroooom! Off they go with hair flying in the wind. Its Buddy and Abbey in the lead. The cars are a blur. Oh no, here comes Hunter! He slips in to take the lead. Now the race is toe to toe. Jared is hanging for a close third. And across the finish line they go. Hunter in the lead. Buddy and Abbey sweep through for second place. Jared pulls in third. Wow, what a race. The three top racers took first, second and third places. The grandstands are roaring!!! Wait!? Oh, thats just grandma. But she is cheering and taking pictures. : )
The worse thing about the race for me was getting in and getting out of the bumper car. Don’t know why the Lord had to waste so much energy on the young people. And I’m still trying to figure out what all that creeking noise was about. : )
Ok, you know me. I love nothing more than to see people laughing. That is why in years gone by I enjoyed watching the TV program, ‘Whose Line is is Anyway.’
See if you can laugh at this one —
Here’s a funny play out on Tarzan and Jane. All in fun.)
Yes, I know. There is nothing spiritual in anything that I’ve shared. If you smiled, that is good. So, how do I turn this to matters of a spiritual nature?
OK, here’s a bit on the signifance of laughter in the Bible.
Did you know that laughter is one of the closest companions of faith…
Yes indeed. Laughter is the natural language of the heart that knows how to trust in the Lord. And tears of laughter are easy to come by when we see the Lord at work in our lives, often in answered prayer.
This happened to Israel when she returned from captivity. Psalm 126 has a two-fold fulfillment. Its greater fullfillment will be at the second coming of Jesus. Yes, the nation of Israel has an appointment with Jesus.
Listen:
“When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting; then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’
“The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psa 126:1-6)
So, with that in mind, let’s listen to this song about Israel’s Emmanuel:
We were crossing the mountains of Honduras on our way to a village near the border of Guatemala. I asked the Lord what He wanted me to say to the people. I heard in my heart, ‘Tell them that you come as an ambassador of the kingdom of God, and that you have a message from the King.’
I took those words in my mouth and the crowd became intensely quiet. When I began to preach the gospel of God’s beloved Son, that same quietness rested throughout the message. Why is that? It is because of the gospel is a sacred message. God speaks to the hearts of men through the preaching of the gospel. There is a sense in that the voice of the King is heard in the message.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor..." (Luke 4:18 nasb)
I’ve been a carrier of the gospel for 45 years. However, it is not my purpose to draw attention to myself. Every God-called minister should see himself as an ambassador of the kingdom. For this reason every minister must be very careful in how he handles God’s Word. Each message delivered must be a kingdom message. And each message must always contain the ‘good news’ of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. My caution to any minister is simple – Don’t mishandle the gospel of God’s Son.
With that in mind, I thought it would be good to share just a few of my more recent teachings for those who may need to hear something by way of encouragement. Each teaching title has a brief synopsis with it. (These are not evangelistic messages. They are simply messages that teach certain principles of kingdom life.)
I pray these messages will minister to your heart.
What are you afraid of? The word given to Abraham is the same word that belongs to all God’s children. Listen; “…the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; your reward shall be very great.’”(Genesis 15:1 nasb.)
A Kingdom of the Heart Everything God ever does in your life will always be guided by a reflection of His love for you. God has hidden you in His own heart. The apostle said, “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3 nasb)
Twelve Nuggets of Gold The first nugget of gold is, ‘Remember that Jesus Christ is the author and the finisher of your faith. The twelth nugget is, ‘Acquire a sense of humor.’ There are ten more nuggets in between. Learn them and live.
The Fruit of Discipleship The fruit of righteousness is born out of God’s love for lost humanity. Redeeming souls is the family business. Jesus said, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give it to you.” (John 15:16 nasb)
Turning Points in Life It all begins with ‘God calling.’ One of the great keys to kingdom life is learning how turning points work in our walk with the Lord. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”(John 10:27,28 nasb)
I’m adding a new category to my blog. It will consist of music videos and other related Christian Challenge videos that my readers may have an interest in.
Through the Years with Christian Challenge. The Story
Old Time Preacher Man.
Songs of the Disciple.
Hear the Trumpet Sounding. The year of Jubilee.
What Kind of Man is This…that the winds and the waves listen to Him.
Open the Gates. There’s an ancient people in an ancient land.
A Jewish girl finds her Messiah. The testimony of Lily Isaacs …
Crossing the Jordan. There you’ll meet King Messiah.
One of our Many Trips to Mexico. Orphanage.
A humous clip on our Small Groups. Find People Like You
It was a Friday evening service at Christian Challenge, when an interesting thing happened. During worship a gentleman would slip in and sit on the back row. He would stay for the teaching and then slip out. What I didn’t know was that this gentleman had a secret. He was on the board of the local Jewish temple. Yes, he was Jewish.
The short side is that this Jewish gentleman met Jesus as his Lord and Messiah. Yes, he lost his family. Yes, the Jewish community turned from him. He later married a Christian girl. And, yes, he is now sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ as the Messiah of Israel in a Jewish setting.
But before I go any further, please take time to listen to the testimony of another Jewish person who came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior. In fact I have dearly fallen in love with Lily Isaacs and her three children. They are now noted gospel singers.
Here it is. The testimony of Lily Isaacs will be will worth your time.
With the story of Lily Isaacs in the background. and the story of the Jewish gentleman who came to know Jesus as the Messiah of Israel in the background, let’s have a Bible study.
What about Christians and Jews
In this study I want to bring up some issues that aren’t often dealt with by Christians, but they are crucial to our understanding of what the new covenant is really about.
Very early on, Christianity had to come to grips with its own identity. But it wasn’t so difficult at the first. Christians were simply Jews. Christianity was God’s new covenant. But when Gentiles began to receive the Jewish Messiah as their own Lord and Savior, it put a different twist on everything. The question now was, “What do we do with these Gentiles?”
It became obvious in short course that the Lord was showing no favorites. So the question continued, “Is being a Christian a special way of being a Jew?”
This question haunted the early Jewish Church. And to some degree, it still puzzles many Christians today. And, by the way, it also continues to puzzle many Jews.
Christianity has always been a difficult issue for Jewish folk to explain to themselves. Were Christianity simply a small group of people in the earth, there would be no problem. But Christians make up fully one fourth of the population on this planet. And
Christians hold to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in much the same way that Jewish folk hold to them.
I recall a TV broadcast out of Bethlehem some years ago, where the commentator interviewed a Jewish man on the streets. He asked the Jewish man, “What do you think about all these Christians being here in Bethlehem at Christmas?” The Jewish man
simply said, “They are Jews too.”
So you see, the question remains, “If ancient Judaism is the matrix of Christianity, then to what extent is Christianity a Jewish matter?”
Many questions can be set aside by understanding that Biblical Christianity was never intended to be an earthly institution, with a primary throne from which Christians were to adhere. We need to understand what the term ‘Church’ actually means Biblically.
Jesus said, “I also say to you that you are Peter (Petros, or, a stone), and upon this Rock (petra, or, massive bed rock) I will build my Church (ekklesia, or, called out and summoned together); and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” (Matthew 16:18)
The first time the word ekklesia is used in the ancient Greek Bible, is in Deuteronomy 23:1, where it says, “No one who is emasculated or has his male organ cut off shall enter the assembly (ekklesia) of the Lord.” (Wish there were a better ‘first’ time usage. Sorry.)
The assembly of the Lord was another term for Israel that had been called out of Egypt, and had been formed into a distinct people group. They were to be the visible kingdom of God in the earth.
The Hebrew term for ‘assembly’ or ‘congregation’, is ‘qahal.’ Qahal, or, ekklesia, spoke of Israel ‘called out of Egypt’, and called together as an identifiable people group. Therefore Israel was called ‘the assembly of the Lord.’ She was God’s Church.
Stephen the first Christian martyr makes mention of God’s ekklesia in the wilderness. He said, “This is the one (Moses) who was in the congregation (ekklesia) in the wilderness with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and
he (Moses) received living oracles to pass on to you.” (Acts 7:38. The KJV translates ekklesia as church.)
Here is something interesting. The ancient people of God believed that the covenant of Moses was ordained through angels, and in particular, a chief angel called, ‘the angel of the Lord.’ Stephen brings this out, when he said, “You who received the law as
ordained by angels; and yet did not keep it.” (Acts 7:53)
Was this a fluke on Stephen’s part? No. He was expressing what was taught by the Jews in general. Paul said, “Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.” The mediator in this case was Moses. (Galatians 3:19)
Many Christians enjoying thinking of the angel of the Lord of the former testament, as Jesus Himself. But this may not be the case. In speaking to Daniel, the Lord said, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise.” It seems that Michael may have been the prince angel who represented God
before the peoples. (Daniel 12:1 – I’m open to discussion on this issue.)
The reason I wanted to share this bit about the former covenant being ordained through angels, is to give a greater appreciation for the new covenant, and for what it means to be a Christian. When Jesus said that He would build His Church, He was speaking as the Son of God, or, God Himself as He was revealed in the Son. And this is an important
distinction to make. Jesus was never an angel.
To understand who Jesus is, will help the Christian better identify himself. Jesus was never an angel. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He is the haKovod of God, or the form of God seen in glory. He is the invisible God made visible. Jesus is God coming
forth from God. Jesus is the Messiah who has always existed in the bosom of the Father.
What has this to do with the Christian’s identity? It has everything. Whereas the former covenant was ordained through angels, the new covenant was put in place by the Son of God Himself. Jesus is both the mediator and the guarantee of a better covenant.
The former covenant contained the sprinkling of the blood of bulls. The new covenant contains the sprinkling of the blood of God. And it is this sprinkled blood that distinguishes the true Biblical Christian, from someone who is otherwise simply a cultural Christian. (A Christian in name only.)
Let me draw the comparison. It says in Exodus 24:6-8, “Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and the other half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, ‘All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!’ So Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.’”
Notice carefully that the people bound themselves by the blood of the covenant to both curses and blessings. Also notice that the blood of the bulls was sprinkled on the peoples themselves, on the altar, and, according to Hebrews, on the book itself. But the blood could provide holiness to the people in a physical sense. The peoples were still separated from God because of the sin of Adam.
In the new covenant something entirely different happens. The blood that flowed through the veins of Jesus, was God’s blood. Paul makes this perfectly clear, when he says, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church (ekklesia) of God which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28)
So the blood that was shed at the cross was God’s blood. How about the altar? The book of Hebrews allows us to understand that Christ took His own blood, which again, is God’s blood, into the holy place of heaven, and sprinkled it on the altar. This sprinkled
blood cleansed away the sin of Adam. No person on this planet will be lost because of Adam’s sin. The lostness of any person will be because they rejected God’s salvation that is given in Jesus Christ.
It says, “How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Cf. Hebrews 9:11-15) It goes on to say that Christ Himself is the mediator of the new covenant. The old covenant mediator was Moses, the man of God. The new
covenant mediator is Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God.
How about the people? Are God’s people to be sprinkled with the blood of God? Yes, and it is this sprinkling of the blood that makes a person a Biblical Christian. Peter says, “According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ (repentance and faith in view) and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.” (1 Peter 1:2)
When a person is fully convinced of his lostness, and then turns to Jesus in faith, the Holy Spirit, who knows the hearts of all men, takes the atoning blood of God, and sprinkles it on the human heart. It is this sprinkled blood that brings about an inward change of the human personality. This repentant person now becomes part of a new
creation.
And whereas the former covenant provided curses and blessings, the new covenant speaks of eternal mercies. This is why Jeremiah said of the new covenant, “And they will not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, ‘know the Lord,’ for all will know Me, from the least to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.’” (Taken from Hebrews 8:11,12)
It is God’s blood makes the new covenant what it is. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, was God’s sacrifice. The salvation we have in Christ is wholly of God. It is all of grace and none of works. God did the work in Christ.
When Jesus said, “It is finished,” this meant that there was nothing to add to, nor could anything be taken away from God’s work of redemption. The only thing left for man to do, was to be drawn to the cross by the Holy Spirit, and there at the cross we are to meet Jesus. God conducts all His business with man at the cross. We must never forget this.
Perhaps the best way to explain the Christian’s identity, is simply to say that the Church is made up of God’s heavenly people. Paul distinguishes the Israel of the flesh, or the Israel of earthly descent, with God’s heavenly people. And while he does not use the word ‘Israel’ directly with regard to the Church, he does leave it somewhat open to
thought.
Perhaps I should not push this too far, but the idea of God having a heavenly Israel, or a spiritual Israel, seems to have credence in the Scriptures. When Jesus said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches,” this metaphor is a picture of Israel. Over the door of the temple was a configuration of the grape vine. All the Jews knew that the vine
represented Israel.
When Jesus took Peter, James, and John, to the Mount of Transfiguration, this was a reflection of Moses, when he was called to the Mountain of the Lord. It says, “Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and
they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.” (Exodus 24:9,10)
Was it the God of Israel that Peter, James, and John, saw on the Mount of Transfiguration? It says, “And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as snow.” (Matthew 17:2)
And so the God of Israel walked the earth in the Person of Jesus Christ. Only the God of Israel could have made a new covenant with Israel. But the covenant made with Israel, was intended to include all of mankind. For this reason, the covenant of Israel cannot be simply a Jewish covenant. Jesus is actually called ‘the last Adam?’ (1 Corinthians 15:45)
Perhaps this is why when the apostles used promises and languages that did apply to Israel of the former covenant, they also used language that went back before there was an Israel. And I think this is why folk tend to get confused over whether Christians are simply a special kind of Jew. Christians are actually heavenly citizens in an earthly body. We are a unique people on the earth.
And so, the answer is, “No, we are not Jews.” Hope this doesn’t upset you too much. You see, Paul said, “For all or you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”
(Galatians 3:27-29)
Paul lets Christians know that they are the ’stars’ that Abraham saw when the Lord called him outside his tent, and said, “‘Now look to the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’” (Genesis 15:5)
Why look to the heavens? Because Abraham’s promised heirs would be a heavenly people.
Think about it.
The relationship of the Christian and the Jew is not without its complexities. It is as though we have been interwoven together into some kind of strange kinship. Prophetically speaking there is more truth to this than meets the eye. From Abraham on, God’s work of redemption would revolved around the Abrahamic heritage. Paul said that Christians are the spiritual children of Abraham.
How complex does this get? If you recall, Jesus said to the lady at the well, “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.”(John 4:22)
The Lord was merely pointing out that the Messiah was to come through the Jewish lineage. (The term ‘Jew’ originates with the tribe of Judah. It later became the more common term for descendants of Abraham. Technically speaking, Abraham was not a Jew. He was a Hebrew.)
In this study I want to bring up some issues that aren’t often dealt with by Christians, but they are crucial to our understanding of what the new covenant is really about.
Very early on, Christianity had to come to grips with its own identity. It wasn’t difficult at the first. Christians were simply Jews. Christianity was God’s new covenant. But when Gentiles began to receive the Jewish Messiah as their own Lord and Savior, it put a different twist on everything. The question now was, “What do we do with these Gentiles?”
It became obvious in short course that the Lord was showing no favorites. So the question continued, “Is being a Christian a special way of being a Jew? This question haunted the early Jewish Church. And to some degree, it still puzzles many Christians today. And, by the way, it also continues to puzzle many Jews.
"Jerusalem ... you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
Christianity has always been a difficult issue for Jewish folk to explain to themselves. Were Christianity simply a small group of people in the earth practicing another religion, there would be no problem. But Christians make up fully one fourth of the population on this planet.
And Christians hold to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, David and the prophets in much the same way that Jewish folk hold to them. But Christianity has another distinction. It is not really an earthly religion at all. (We’ve managed to distort that truth.) And that is the core issue. Christianity has in it the voice of the Messiah. That is what Lily Isaacs heard calling her.
I recall a TV broadcast out of Bethlehem some years ago, where the commentator interviewed a Jewish man on the streets. He asked the Jewish man, “What do you think about all these Christians being here in Bethlehem at Christmas?” The Jewish man simply said, “They are Jews too.”
So you see, the quandary remains, “If ancient Judaism is the matrix of Christianity, then to what extent is Christianity a Jewish matter?”
Perhaps the best way to explain the Christian’s identity, is simply to say that the Church is made up of God’s heavenly people. Paul distinguishes the Israel of the flesh, or the Israel of earthly descent, with God’s heavenly people. And while he does not use the word ‘Israel’ directly with regard to the Church, he does leave it somewhat open to thought.
Perhaps I should not push this too far, but the idea of God having a heavenly Israel, or a spiritual Israel, seems to have credence in the Scriptures. When Jesus said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches,” this metaphor is a picture of Israel. Over the door of the temple was a configuration of the grape vine. All the Jews knew that the vine represented Israel.
When Jesus took Peter, James, and John, to the Mount of Transfiguration, this was a reflection of Moses, when he was called to the Mountain of the Lord? It says,
“Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.” (Exodus 24:9,10)
Was it the God of Israel that Peter, James, and John, saw on the Mount of Transfiguration? It says,
“And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as snow.”(Matthew 17:2)
Perhaps this is why when the apostles used promises and languages that did apply to Israel in the former covenant, they also used language that went back before there was an Israel. And I think this is why folk tend to get confused over whether Christians are simply a special kind of Jew. Christians are actually heavenly citizens in an earthly body. We are a unique people on the earth.
You see, Paul said,
“For all or you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:27-29)
Paul lets Christians know that they are the ’stars’ that Abraham saw when the Lord called him outside his tent, and said,
“‘Now look to the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’”(Genesis 15:5)
Why look to the heavens? Because Abraham’s promised heirs would be a heavenly people.
So, why did the board member of the Jewish temple, and Lily Isaacs receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior? It is because they heard His voice calling them. It was the same voice that Moses heard coming from the burning bush.
What many don’t realize is that Satan’s greatest fear is the turning of the Jew to Christ Jesus. This is why through the years he has managed to distort and disturb the Jews with false notions about Jesus and about Christians. Somehow Satan must keep them from hearing the gospel and from getting their hands on the New Testament. Why? Because when a Jew reads the New Testament, to him he hears a Jewish voice.
Then we need to consider that the Bible speaks of all Israel turning to the Lord Jesus in the last days. We are seeing this in the form of a trickle. It will become a mighty river in due time. Actually there continues to be more and more Jews turning to Jesus in these latter days. Why not. It was prophesied that they would.
There is so much more to say about this intriguing subject of the Christian and the Jew. Perhaps I’ve given my readers some extra food for thought.
My new blog shows a lot of green grass in the mast head. This theme is a bit easier on the eyes than my former one. However, I’m still looking over various themes. Want to make sure this one meets my journal needs.
In keeping with this new theme, I decided to write about the green green grass of home. Now, if the title sounds a bit familiar to you old timers, there is good cause. The song, ‘Green Green Grass of Home,’ was written by Claude (Curley) Putman, Jr. It was made popular by Porter Wagnor in the early 60s. It became a notable hit. Several singers picked up on it.
Every song has a story. The green green grass of home is about a dream that a man had while in prison waiting execution. In the dream he remembers his days as a youth. When he awakes, he remembers that he is in prison.
Here is the last verse of the song –
For there’s a guard and there’s a sad old padre -
arm in arm we’ll walk at daybreak.
Again I touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they’ll all come to see me in the shade of that old oak tree
as they lay me neath the green, green grass of home.
Yep, it’s a tear jerker. But perhaps there is another story that we need to hear. First let’s take a trip down memory lane. Here it is by Tom Jones (Cir. 1966):
The old home place saddens my heart…
I know a little bit about the green, green, grass of home. The old home place where I was raised sends out a call to me every once in awhile. She seems to be saying, ‘Its time to come visit me Buddy. I want to share some memories with you.’ But it is so hard to answer the call. No one has lived in her for years. She is slowly wasting away.
When I do pay her a visit I have to deal with memories, some good and some not so good.
Every inch of the old place speaks to my youth. We actually had to clear the land to built the home. My dad and I dug the water well by hand.
Well, enough on that…
Then I remember the great lesson of life…
While visiting the old place, something else begins to arise in my mind. It is like these new thoughts were what the old home place was really trying to tell me. It is like she was saying, ‘Your life is not in the past. It is not here. Your life is in the future.’
Isn’t the Lord good as He helps us refocus on what our life is really all about. It is as Jesus said to the disciples,
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
(Joh 14:1-3)
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (Joh 14:1-3)
The Lord gave us instructions on what to do when we began to see the end-time signs taking place. His instructions were simple…
“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)
Do you think ‘lift up your heads’ time is drawing near?
One by one by one we are saying ‘farewell’ to another of our Carver family. And so the time has come to once again bid adieu to one of our beloved cousins. Julian Cecil Hester made his journey home this past Wednesday, June 10, 2009. My how childhood memories linger. We shared some happy childhood moments together back in my California days. (The late 40s.)
Here is his Julian’s obituary –
Julian C. Hester 66, of Vacaville, Died June 10, 2009 after a 6 month battle with Cancer. Born Dec. 14, 1942 in Leesville, Louisiana. He made Vacaville his home for the past 30 years. Julian, known to all as J.C. is survived by his loving wife of 45 years Rosita, his 5 children John Hester (Anita) of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Janette (Scott) Dahlin and Jeff (Paula) Hester of Vacaville, Jason (Cathy) Hester of Vallejo, and Jacob Hester of Buena Park, California JC will be missed by his 9 grandchildren Caleb 15, Tate 14, Gabriella 14, Annika 12, Mason 12, Jadyn 11, Julian Ruben 8, Jason 7, and Jameson 23 months JC spent his final days surrounded by those he loved and cherished. He leaves behind a family who will continue to love and honor his life. He taught his children to always be there for each other, to love and support others, to be truthful in all things, and to work hard and honestly. He loved a good game whether it was football, baseball, basketball, or golf which he enjoyed both on and off the course. He is preceded in death by his mother E. Cecillia Carver and his father JC Hester. Services will be held Monday June15, 2009 1pm Vaca Hills Chapel Funeral Home 524 Elmira Rd. Vacaville, CA 95687 707 446-3233. Officiating the service will be his oldest son, Pastor John C. Hester. In Lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Cancer Society.
Julian Cecil Hester (December 14, 1942 – June 10, 2009)
Julian C. Hester 66, of Vacaville, Died June 10, 2009 after a 6 month battle with Cancer. Born Dec. 14, 1942 in Leesville, Louisiana. He made Vacaville his home for the past 30 years.
Julian, known to all as J.C. is survived by his loving wife of 45 years Rosita, his 5 children John Hester (Anita) of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Janette (Scott) Dahlin and Jeff (Paula) Hester of Vacaville, Jason (Cathy) Hester of Vallejo, and Jacob Hester of Buena Park, California JC will be missed by his 9 grandchildren Caleb 15, Tate 14, Gabriella 14, Annika 12, Mason 12, Jadyn 11, Julian Ruben 8, Jason 7, and Jameson 23 months
JC spent his final days surrounded by those he loved and cherished. He leaves behind a family who will continue to love and honor his life. He taught his children to always be there for each other, to love and support others, to be truthful in all things, and to work hard and honestly. He loved a good game whether it was football, baseball, basketball, or golf which he enjoyed both on and off the course. He is preceded in death by his mother E. Cecillia Carver and his father JC Hester. Services will be held Monday June15, 2009 1pm Vaca Hills Chapel Funeral Home 524 Elmira Rd. Vacaville, CA 95687 707 446-3233. Officiating the service will be his oldest son, Pastor John C. Hester. In Lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Cancer Society.
Is it alright if I carry you back in time…
Each generation shares its own memories. For Julian and me, and our generation, our early memories wrap pretty much around WWII. Julian’s dad was a soldier. In fact a great many of our kin served in the battles of that war. It was a different time and a different world. But the tradition carried on. Julian served in the Air Force. I served in the Navy.
As for memories, the old timers will remember songs like, ‘As Time Goes By’ (Casablanca), ‘Moon River’, ‘Sentimental Journey’, ‘Red Sails in the Sunset’, and so on. Sure seems like the music back then was smoother, and more to the heart of life. What ever happened to the romanticism, and the patriotism, and the ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree With Anyone Else but Me’, kind of music of that era?
Think I’m kidding. Most all the music back then was clean and went right to your heart. Let’s check it out. For the sake of you old timers, here is Sentimental Journey by Vikki Carr — Go ahead, relax. Let your heart take you back in time.
Does any of this relate to our journey with Jesus…
Oh yes indeed. We get to say our farewells on the earthly side of life. But we know in our hearts that ‘farewell’ just means, ‘I’m going home where I belong. And I’ll see you shortly.’
You see there really is no such thing as death for a believer. Jesus made that clear. Remember what Jesus said to Martha at the tomb of Lazarus. Listen:
Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to Him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.’” (Joh 11:23-27)
Did you notice what Jesus asked Martha? He simply said, “Do you believe this?”That one question determines where we spend eternity. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you trust Him to save you eternally?
Did you also catch what Jesus said concerning dying? Here it is again, “And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”
You see, when someone comes to know Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior, something happens in the human spirit. Death is removed.
In the Bible ‘death’ does not mean non existence. It speaks of a separation between a person and God. Spiritual death is to live in that separation. But Jesus came to give us life. And the life that He gives is eternal life. Eternal life means never again will there be a separation between the believer and God. Jesus saves us with an eternal salvation.
We aren’t save because we become good enough. We are saved because Jesus is good enough.
So Julian and family, we all love you without measure. And we will see you again.
Always remember — there is much love to be found in Jesus,
Ever watched someone try to put together a project without the aid of the instruction sheet. Of course they didn’t need it – Instruction sheets are for dummies. Well, if they were so smart, why were there parts left over? Those left over parts likely determined how the project was suppose to work.
I’m convinced that many of our struggles in life, and our general unhappiness’s, can be directly contributed to not learning to live according to the designers manual. We have too many left out pieces.
The biggest problem new covenant believers face is not understanding new creation theology. As an example, many of God’s people stumble through life trying to live new covenant Christianity on an old covenant level. Are you one of those people?
Then you have those of God’s people who continually run to and fro looking for some prophet to give them a word from God. Are you one of those kinds of believers?
The problem is that you are not learning to live new covenant Christianity according to the Designers manual.
Have you ever stopped to consider why Paul said,
“Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these [new] things are from God…” (2Co5:16-18 nasb)
There is so much I would like to share with you. One thing I can do. Before I go any further I want to challenge my readers to take time to read a series of studies that I’ve provided entitled, ‘The New Adam Race.’ They will help direct you to an understanding of our new covenant, new creation living.
Here they are in the order you need to read them: (You may want to use your right mouse button and choose ‘Open in new tag’ to read the studies without losing your place here.)
When Paul said that ‘old things had passed away,’ he was speaking of the covenant of the cross. The former covenant was temporary. It was made for the natural man. Jesus likened it to ‘old wine skins.’ You cannot put new wine into old wine skins. The old skins would burst asunder and be of no value to anyone. The new covenant was entirely new. It had to have its own covenant expressions.
It is not that the former covenant was without value. The former covenant continually pointed to the eternal covenant to come. The distinguishing mark of the new covenant, however, hinges on the word ’spiritual.’ Out of the cross came a new creation of spiritual people. These new people of God must have their own spiritual covenant.
This is why Paul chided the Corinthians for all their misbehavioor. Listen:
“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?” (1Co3:1-3)
Did you catch it? New covenant believers are born from above. We are not to live like mere men. We have a covenant that is out of this world. (Not intended as a pun.) The new covenant is entirely a covenant of the Spirit. (The word spiritual comes from two Greek words that speak of invisibility and power.)
The apostle said:
“But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. “ (2Co3:15-18)
And again,
“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2Co4:16-18)
Well, its time to move on. But how can I leave without leaving you a wonderful song that speaks to the new creation in Christ. Here it is:
I realize this entry may be a bit longer than usual, but it is very instructive. Take time to read it through. It may help turn your life around.
Remember the old saying, ‘Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see?’ When I was a youngun, I found out the hard way that what you see can be very deceiving. It happened this way – I reached into grandma’s refrigerator for a cold glass of milk. Boy, was I ever thirsty. Boy, was I ever in for a surprise. I took a mouth full, and instantly I spewed it out of my mouth. Where did all that bitterness come from?
What a surprise!? Well, the lesson had to do with what the cows were eating. Country raised folk will understand this.If cows get into bitter weeds, it puts bitterness into their milk. The first one to take a drink will pretty much tell everyone else, ‘Don’t drink the milk!’
Are there any Bible lessons to be had here? Yes indeed. There are a number of lessons. The most important lesson is how bitterness affects us and also how it affects others. Bitterness can defile a person’s entire life. It is one of the things the Bible tells us we must get rid of. It is like a spiritual poisoning.
A little bitterness brings befoulments…
Wish we could put a warning sign on people who continue to hold bitterness in their lives. But you can’t always tell by simply looking at a person. Usually they have to be squeezed just a bit. What is on the inside will come out under the right pressure.
Listen to what the apostolic writer had to say -
“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.” (Heb 12:14-15)
The word ‘bitterness’ carries the sense of ‘bitter anger.’ Bitter people not only defile their own lives but they can defile others. Bitterness in the Bible is likened to a poison. This is why we are instructed to watch over both our heart and over what comes out of our mouth.
Bitter people tend to create their own prisons. Not only are they angry people, but they tend to be sad and lonely. Usually they blame others for their lot in life. This lets us see how bitterness is a spiritual defilement.
The sage said:
“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs [forces, determinations, issues, directions] of life.” (Pro 4:23)
Jesus said:
“…Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) And He was saying, ‘That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.’” (Mar 7:18-20)
James the brother of Jesus said:
“And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6)
Bitterness is a primary reason the Bible can’t minister to us the way it should.
The Word of God is our spiritual food. If we have bitterness and other defilements in our life, even God’s Word will taste like the bitter milk that I spewed out of my mouth. Bitterness, unforgiveness, malace, and such like, actually contaminates God’s Word for us.
Peter explains this issue:
“Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” (1Pe2:1-3)
The ‘pure milk of the Word’ speaks to the unmixed and undefiled realities of the gospel message. There is so much the Lord wants to share with all God’s children, but these spiritual hinderances must be removed from our lives.
What then is the answer to bitterness…
Peace, be still! Know that I am God!
The simple answer is the pure heart. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see [recognize, perceive, realize} God.” (Mat5:8)
And since bitterness is a heart issue, the bitter person must take his or her heart to the Lord. Only Jesus can truly remove the bitterness from our lives and give us a life of peace and grace.
But don’t think for a moment that the bitter person is simply the unsaved sinner. Paul instructed believers to let the Lord remove bitterness from their lives. Listen:
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Eph 4:30-32)
It is not a one time thing….
Every one of us has had good causes for bitterness to arise in our lives. Maybe it was a divorce. That’s a heart breaking cause for bitterness. Maybe the death of a loved one. There are so many causes. Life can throw a lot of curves. My heart pains me deeply when I see other believers hurting.
Yes, I am painfully aware of my own short comings. But I also thank the good Lord, that He is ever present to help me process whatever the cause may be. He is there to help you also.
There is one thing we need to do. I’ve had to do this so many times. Let’s let the Isaacs tell us what it is:
My morning devotions now have me in 1st Peter. For three days I’ve been unable to get past the first few Scriptures of chapter one. Peter makes some amazing statements that summarize our salvation in Jesus Christ. Let me share them with you. I’ll break this portion of Scriptures into parts for special emphasis. Take time to think about each statement. Don’t move to the next statement before you’ve gained something from the present statement. Think it through. What does each statement mean to you?
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, …
… to those who reside as aliens, …
…who are chosen…
…according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, …
… by the sanctifying work of the Spirit,…
… to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood:
… May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
… Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,…
…to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable…
… and undefiled …
… and will not fade away, …
… reserved in heaven for you, …
…who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1Pe 1:1-5)
Peter is speaking as an apostle of the Lamb. No one has the right to take away from or add anything to what an apostle of Jesus taught. It was their job to lay the foundation for the new covenant church. Peter speaks with authority. Every statement rings with a truth to be realized.
Did the apostles teach that a believer has eternal security…
I believe they did. Through my many years as a minister of the gospel, I have long since reached the understanding that the new covenant is a covenant of absolute and eternal security. Every true believer has been sealed in Christ for the day of redemption. God is the only one who could break the seal and He said that nothing could possibly ever separate us from His love.
However, I like the term ’security of the believer’ rather than simply saying that I believe in eternal security. Security of the believer qualifies who eternal life and eternal security is for. Only true believers have the seal of eternal security. All believers have a ’seal of redemption’ on their hearts. Every angel and every demon knows what the seal means,
Let’s take a closer look at what Peter had to say in the afore Scriptures. It is here that the apostle sets forth the awesome story of our redemption, and to what purpose our salvation speaks of. He begins with our having been chosen from all eternity, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. He then allows for how the Holy Spirit does the work of separating us from the world and bringing us to Jesus. (This is the basic idea behind being sanctified.)
To obey Jesus Christ has regard to our repentance and to our turning to Jesus as our own Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit provides this gifting of repentance. Repentance is worked in us by the convincing of the Holy Spirit. It is in this turning point that an abundance of grace and peace begins to overflow our lives. This grace will make up part of our homeward journey all the days of our life. Jesus doesn’t just save us. He is saving us every moment of every day. Jesus stands for every believer in heaven.
Peter then tells us that it was the Father who willed us to be born again. And out of our birth from above comes a heavenly life that is eternally secure. The apostles carefully explained that no one is born of their own will.
This life we are given is actually the very indwelling life of Jesus. It is this life that keeps us filled with a living hope. New covenant Christianity is a living relationship with the living God. It is not a religion.
We’ve been made alive in Christ and with the life of Christ. Paul expressed it this way;
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”Gal2:20
We also have a living hope for what is to come. It is this living hope that serves as an anchor of our soul. It was this heavenly inheritance that kept God’s Old Testament people encouraged in their earthly journey.
The apostle Peter continues with how that God’s saving power keeps us eternally saved. Not only is our inheritance kept for us, but we are also kept for Jesus. This is why the apostle Paul said that there is no power that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. The cross made certain of that. We were not saved because we loved God. We are saved because He loved us.
Our salvation is a love story. And this is the story of an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away.
The eye has not seen…
Paul also writes about our inheritance in the heavens. Listen:
“… but just as it is written, ‘THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.’ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.” (1Co 2:9-10)
One thing especially stands out in what both Paul and Peter have to say. There is a love factor involved in a true believer’s life. It is our love for Jesus that testifies to our having been born of God’s Spirit. This does not take away from the truth that we were not saved because we loved God. What it tells us that during the salvation provess, God places in our heart an overflowing love for Jesus.
It is a supernatural love so strong and deep that the total life of a believer revolves around this love for Jesus.
As for the doctrine of eternal security…
… the more you study the Scriptures, and the more you will come to understand and appreciate the new covenant and the work of the cross, and the more you will become convinced that each and every believer is eternally secured and saved.
Is there mure to be said? Absolutely. Much, much more. But for the sake of this journal entry I need to shorten things a bit. Certainly I welcome responses and comments.
Lets let Peter tell us about this love factor:
“…and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” (1Pe 1:8)
So what is the true sign of a true believer….
Not only is the true sign believers their love for Jesus, but a true believer IS A BELIEVER. That may sound odd but it speaks loads. It is our faith in Jesus Christ that validates our salvation. The fact that a person actually trusts in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, is proof positive that they are saved. Therefore faith itself is the evidence of our salvation.
So – Do you love Jesus? Listen to Ray Boltz as he sings, ‘Watch the Lamb.’ After all did not the apostolic writer tell us to keep our eyes on Jesus. Does this song stir up your love for Jesus? That is the question —
Journal,
Before ‘the’ antichrist appears, there will have begun an overflow of false teachers and false prophets whose sole purpose is to prepare room for ‘the’ antichrist.’because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Julian C. Hester 66, of Vacaville, Died June 10, 2009 after a 6 month battle with Cancer. Born Dec. 14, 1942 in Leesville, Louisiana. He made Vacaville his home for the past 30 years. 
Did you also catch what Jesus said concerning dying? Here it is again, 
things have come. Now all these [new] things are from God…” (2Co5:16-18 nasb) 
The apostle said:
heart and over what comes out of our mouth. 
eternal life and eternal security is for. Only true believers have the seal of eternal security. All believers have a ’seal of redemption’ on their hearts. Every angel and every demon knows what the seal means,
Peter then tells us that it was the Father who willed us to be born again. And out of our birth from above comes a heavenly life that is eternally secure. The apostles carefully explained that no one is born of their own will. 
“… but just as it is written, ‘THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.’ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.”